Multiple sickle mowing unit



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C. L. PELHAM MULTIPLE SICKLE MOWING UNIT QW NN July 15, 1952 Filed March 2, 1948 I N 7E N TOR.

AT1-cl R N EYS MMA mx Nh July 15, 1952 c. L. PELHAM 2,603,052

MULTIPLE SICKLE MOWING UNIT Filed March 2, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 15, 1952 c. L.. Pr-:LHAM

MULTIPLE SICKLE MOWING UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2, 1948 .Nmwmv .GMI

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ATTE] RN EYS July l5, 1952 c. L. PELHAM MULTIPLE SICKLE MOWING UNIT Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 2. 1948 bn.. m www@ m 5 Mw C k@ n..- Ww Qw www O\\ c lb. r.. L. :WW .WN www vw |||v f MSN my o f QQNI J ma NY. .N%m o o "o o o@ wu gw @QN O A o o o o o o 9o O o @-10 mulo o||. uw oim @im wl@ .mb @.mw kmh NW mhu Sw @u Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE L 2,603,052 l l 'i I MULTIPLE SCKLE MOWING UNIT` p A Charles L. Pelham, Los Angeles, Calif. Application March 2, 1948, Serial No. 12,492

'2 claims. (C1. sri-25), I

This invention relates to improvements in harvesting machinery, and more particularlyy to a multiple sickle mowing unit. A v

An object of the invention is to provide a multiple sickle mowing unit that is adapted for front or rear end mounting on tractors that are so equipped.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit of this character that will increase capacity and eliminate side draftdue to the provision of carrying frames in which multiple sickles are mounted, said frames Vbeing arranged symmetrically about and attached to a single tractor.

The proposed structure eliminates the conventional use of a cart or the like, which is employed for the second sickle, the car having an offset tongue to place the second sickle beyond the end of the first sickle on the same side of the tractor, thus increasing side draft and interfering with the maneuverability of the tractor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit of the character described, wherein the unit minimizes the drag of the cutter bars, and facilitates the lifting of the cutter bars by the use of a system of spring loaded balances. y

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit of the character described, which enables the tractor to cut back and forth from one 'side of a eld, giving better recovery' of wind blown crops and permitting the recovery "of crops close to fences, ditches or similar obstructions;

A still further object of the invention is to provide a unit of the character described,v whichwill vpermit vertical adj ustment'of the' cutter bars and yet maintain thecutter bars in a level position from the front to the back of the cutter bars;

A still Vfurther object of the invention isto providea unit of the character described. which possesses a greater safetyof operation bythejuse actuated by overload'conditions.v

Further objects of the-invention are tovprovide a unit of the character described that improves the utilization of powerwhile minimizingvibration by the application of power parallel to sickle travel at all times, to provide a greater-range'of adaptation of the machine, and to eliminate: running over cut cropsrby the tractor wheels. A.

With the above and otherobjects andadvantages in view, the invention consists of thenovel details of construction, arrangement and coinbination of parts more fullyuhereinafter described, claimed.V and illustrated in the accompanying drawingsin which: M

Figure 1 isa-plan partly brokenaway of a clutch release and `cutter release that *are showing the manner of attaching anlembodiment of the invention to the front axle of a tractor; l.

Figure 2 is aside elevation ofthe tractor and unit mounted therein with one sickle vertically positioned; l

Figure 3 isr'an elevational face view ,o'fjthe eccentric mounting for adjusting the 'cutters 'in `relation to the ground;

v Figure 4 is a side elevational'view of Figure 3; y Figure 5 is avsectional view on vthe line 5-5 of Figure 2; l Figure 6 is a sectional .plan taken through the vframe substantially on line 6 6 of Figure 2 and showing the part of the frame ontheopposite side of the tractor from that shown in Figure 2, said section alsor having parts broken'away' and parts omitted; v

Figure 7 is a modied elevational view, partly in section, showing the unit mounte'don the rear axle of a tractor; I Figure 8 is aside, elevational view of the eccentric mounting or rear axle bearing for mounting the cutter bar arms;

` VFigure 9l is a sectional view on ofFigureB; v y

Figure 10 is a detailed elevational View rof the clutch controlofFigure 7; i

Figure 11 isa diagrammatic plan viewshowing the power mechanism or drive for the sicklebars,

and l Figure 12 is a detail showing a section through part of the frameconnectingone rof the cutter barstothe -frame being taken-on line l2.-I2 of Figure 11.

. Figure` 13 ris a detail illustrating a rod for holdfing one of the hingedcutter bars to the stationary centrally positioned cutter bar with the hingedk cutter bar inthe upwardly extendedeposition.

Referring more in detailto: thev drawings; the reference numeral 20 in Figures 1to1` 6, inclusive, designatesa-'tractor ontheifront end of which is mountedthe multiple sickle mowing unit 2|, embodying the invention. 'l

The tractor is a conventional model, having-the 'rear tractor Wheels 22 mounted on-the-rear--axle housing 23,` the steering wheels 24' on the-'front axle 25 `and both axles rlXedto the frame 26;

Fixed` to the frame 2li,` rearwardly of I'the frontY axle, by bolts 21, [is Aa plate 28," to which is 'Xed by bolts .29, the. plat''G carrying the `eccentrically mountedv fulcrum mounting .member 31|.jfThe member' 3| yis tubularv in cross isection, is welded at 32 tov the' platerll,l and is "variablein'length to conform 'with the'va'rious the une ses accepte 3 widths of tractors that are in use at the present time.

There are mounted on the member 3|, for a purpose to be later described, the collars 33, which are slidable on the member 3| for adjustment, and are retained in place by set screws 34 carried by each collar.

Mounted at each side of the tractor on the member 3|- is the cutter bar supporting arm 35. The arm'35 has the' downwardly inclined forward portion 36 and the downwardly inclined rear portion 31. The arms 35 are retained on the member 3| at this angle, by the strap 38, which is iixed to the arm by bolts 39.

The forward end of each portion 380i eachv arm 35 is provided with a recess 48, in which is slidably mounted the rear end of theshoe or extension 4| (more clearly shown in Figure 6).

The portion 36 has the oppositely disposed pro'- jections 42 and 42' respectively. The extension has' the Vprojection 43, jwhichengages the projection 42' andthe projection 42on-thefportion 36 and the projections 43, on the extension 4|, are each provided with a stud-44 which receives and retains in place therein, the shocky absorbing snrinew.'

The portion 36 also is provided with aY slot 46 communicating with the recess 48,? and through the'slot 46,' the projection 41 `formed on the extension', extends to bel connected tothe rod- 48. The rod 48, .in turn, is connected to the pivoted arn'49at'49, pivoted at 59011 the arm 35il The use ofthe'rod 5| connected to-tl'iearm 49 will be later explained. y

'I'he'jextensions 4| 'each have* the outwardly diverging' inclined portions -52onthe outer ends of the extensions, and the portions are provided withtr'iangula'r shaped shoes 53 and 53'- respectively; which are fixed to tlieopposite-ends-of the center cutter bar 54. A

Ayoke 55, on the extension-,carrying-tlie V-shoe 53", has aside' cutter bar 56 'ced-theretd-while a yoke 51 on the extension c'aryi'n'gthshoe`53, has a side cutter bar 58 fixed thereto. Each cutter bar is adapted to pivot on its respective `pivot pins-56' and 58 respectively, and each 'of the cutter bars is provided witli-the'pointed guards or' teeth- 59. Each cutter -baycarries asickle or t'oth'ed cutting bladefpwhicli is-retainedin place by the clips or holddowns 6| fixed to each -Ejclsickle' is Vconriee'tedtci 'a piston rod #62, which is mounted in the actuating cylinder 63 fixed to each cutter bar. Each cylinder 1 is muntedso that the sickle can be removed `and replaced'l as desired. The swath rodsi` 64 are hinged at 95 so that they can swing upwardly` and forw'ardlyto permit the cutter bars 56 and' 58 to p'ivot on'the pivot pins 56 and 58", so that when in raised position, as shown' in Figure 2,.the-1rods may be used toy retain the'bars in this position. Openings 209 are provided 'in` the hinged cutter bars to receive one of theends of the reds 66-and cotter pins 20| retain these-ends of therods 66 in-theopenings 200, and the cutter bar 54 ispro-l videdwith apertured lugs 282 which are relativelypositioned with respect to the center of the bar 54, to receive the opposite ends of the rods 66. The rods' are carried onv the tractor when not in use. Outer Shoes vB'I areA provided `0lthe btr endsof the bars '56 and`58."

cylinder '63 onj the cutterbar `54;"is ccnncte'd bythe rigid pipeisanzi'iiexibie'hose'ts. to' the cylinder 63 on the 'euttrb'ar' 56. Tl'ielattr icA rigid pipe 1|, which is connected to the pump 12 fixed to the tractor frame. The cylinder 63, on the cutter bar 54, is connected by a flexible hose 13 to the cylinder 63 on the cutter bar 58, and the latter cylinder is connected by a flexible hose 14 to the rigid pipe 15, also connected to the pump 12. The pump is operated by the power take-off 16 of the tractor to which it is connected.

The cylinders are thus connected in a manner to use a circulated iluid propellant, but each cylinder may be connected separately to use an exhausted fluid propellant, if desired. The cylinders are recessed into each cutter bar to minimize obstruction to the ow of erop over the cylinders, and one cylinder carries a clip 11 similar in all respects to the clips 6|, as to the purpose for which they are used. The iiexible hose permits the motion of parts as desired. the rigid pipe being used Where there is lack of motion.

Fixed to the tractor frame, intermediate the drivers seat and motor, are the relatively spaced bearing Vbrackets 18. The brackets, through the medium of elongated slots 19, coact with the bolts 88 by which the brackets are fixed to the tractor,

-permittingadjustrnent of the brackets to tractors of various widths.

The brackets journal therein the transverse parallel shafts 8| and 82 respectively. Fixed to the outer ends ofthe shaft 82, are the parallel spacedlinks 83. which are pivotally connected at B4' t-the links 85. The link 85 has spaced openings 86 in its free end so that it can be selectively connectedby va bolt B1 in the spaced opening 89 of the bifurc'ated end 89 ofy the portion 31 of the I arms 35.v VThus if the brackets 18 are mounted in 4relation to-the fulcrums whereby the connecting point of the linkv85'with the portion 31 is essential, tlie openingsl 86 and 88 will permit adjustment between these elements. The links 85, at their opposite ends, are provided with a stop 90, which prevents the links from moving too far forwardly under pressure of the balance spring 9|. The spring 9| is connected at one end to the eye connection 92 carried by the bolt 84, and at the opposite end, to the screw eye 93, which is mounted'in the arm 94 on the arm 35. When the nut 95' on the screw eye 93 is adjusted, the spring 9| will properly balance the arms 35. These connections are made `so' that as the leverage factors in the links83 and 85increase, the tension of the springs 9| decreases. Thus whentheicutter bars are level with the bottom' of the pivot wheels of the'tractor, the springs practically support that weight ofthe unit which is not otherwise balance'd, permitting the cutter bars to lightly skim the ground and follow the irregularities of the ground.'

The Yhar'izl-le'v'er 981s 'fixed'tc'the shaft 82 by theset screw 91. The lever 9EY need only to travel a fraction of its moving radius .in either direction to cause the combination of the spring tension, leverage andv balancing factors of the mechanism to complete unaided the travel of the cutter bars totheir fullupper or lower limits. The movement is varied by the length of the levers andthe adjustment of the spring tension to vary` the leverage and balancing factors. The lever 9 Sfrwill,` therefore; whenl moved, causethe arms-85,-as above described; toV raise until the stop 98 engages the link? 83: The unit willsta-y in raised position withy the'1springs 8| at-*rest untilv the lever 96v is again' ^moved-forward lto the position shown inv FigureZ.' TheI unitwill 'stay in Alowered-'position until the lever 96 is 5 moved to start the sequence of operations above Outllld. l

vvSince the other two cutter bars are hinged on the pivots .55 and .58 respectively, they must be raised to vertical position, as shown in Figure 2, iby' levers loosely mountedon the shaft 82. The lever 91a, has a hook 98 to receive the loop"99 in the cable |00 which passes through guideeye bolts over the pulley |02, rotatably mounted on the extension 4|, to be fed at |03 to the cutter bar 58. The lever 91 constructed in like manner to lever 91a, is connected to the cable |00 passing through guide eye bolts |0| over pulley |02 fixed at |03' to thecutter bar 56. Thus the movement of the levers 81a and 91 will raise each cutter bar independently of each other, and the cutter bar `54 or they may all lbe raised in conjunction With each other.

Fixed to the extension, above the pulleys |02 and |02 are the spring seats |04, Which seat one end of the springsl |05, sleeved on the cables |0| and |0|. The other end of the spring engages the tension regulators |06 sleeved on the cables and xed thereto by set screws |01. The tension of the springs is regulated bythe regulators |08 `when the'cutter bars 58 and 58 -arein vertical position, and secured in' place by the rods 68. Thus when the cutters are in horizontal position, the springs will be compressed. vThe springs act as balance springs for the cutter bars.

In Figure 12, it will be seen that the pulley |02 is in angular relation to the extension shoe 53. This angularity is coordinated with the conne'ction ofthe cables to the cutter bars, fthe height of the fulcrums for the arms 35 and the tensionof the springs |05, so that the springs are at rest when the cutter bars are raised. Thus when the bar is lowered, the spring nearly sustains the weight of the bar, yet permits the barto drop below level.

The shaft 8| is provided with a crank portion |08, which is connected by the sectional link |09 to the clutch pedal ||0 of the tractor. The

sections of the link |09 are 'curved in adjustable relation to each other by the bolt |09. Each end of each section of the link |89 is slotted as at for sliding movement on the coupling ||2 carried by the clutch pedal and the crank portion |08 of the shaft 8|. A spring ||3 connected to the crank portion |08 and a bracket ||4 holds the clutch pedal in disengaged position when the crank portion is just past dead center.

Rigidly fixed to the outer ends of the shaft V8|, are the spaced arms ||5, which carry in.

termediate thereof, the tubular bushings IIB,

.which are adjustably mounted on the upper ends yof, the rods 5|. |`|1 which prevents their sliding out of the arms The bushings each have a head ||5. The Vlength of the rods 5| in the bushings I I8 is adjusted by the nuts ||8 on the rods below the bushings ||6.

6 the clutch when the rod5| has-movedthecrank oif deadcent'er;l The" clutch' may alsojxbe disengaged by foot pressure or byzftheiha'nd lever ||9which1isxed to the shaft.;8|.. L.;

The slot` |20 -in shoe 53 permits .the sickle. for the bar 54 to be removed .afterpclips 6|ha've been removed. The other sickles are; removed after V clips 6j have beeni removedby :slightly rising the, shoes associated with the cutter bars leavinglthe outer ends of bars5| and.58 on .the ground. f

lIn Figures 7 to" 10, inclusive,..the.unit is .at-l tached onthe -rear axle housing 23 offthe tractor. In this instance, the eccentric .fulcrum |30 is formed of sections .|3|andi-|-32Arespectively, which are placed `onthe axle housing 23. and retained thereon by bolts |33. The. armsV 35. are then mounted on -thefulcrums and .retained in place by the strap 38. The extensionsf4|l will then extend rearwardly ofthe tractor and the unit is the same as previously described. The pump 12'. is mounted at the Irear power take-off |34 of thertractor, andconnec'tedb'y flexible hose |35 tothe cylinders .83..of the'cutter bars, The linkage for the control of the clutch-pedal is somewhatv different than for the unitwhen it is attached to the front of the tractor. The brackets |36 for the shaftsl |31 and `-|-3 are mounted'similar, with the link' |39 xedto shaft |38 at one end and pivoted at |40 to the link |4I, selectively connected to the bifurcated end 89 of the arm 35 by the openings 80? and 88 and bolt 81. A stop |42 is provided on the link 4|, and a connecting eye hanger |43 on the pivot |40 Lreceiving onevend of the spring 9|', which is connected to the screw bolt 93" in the arm 94', the nut 95 on the bolt 93 adjusting the tension of the springl 9|?, as previously described. 1

The arms |44 carry the tubular housing |45 in which .isadjustably mounted the rods |46l connected at one end `to the link |41 pivoted atV |48 on the arm, and inturn pivoted at the opposite end to the rod 14s, which is similar to the rod 48. 'Shaft |38 'is rotated by the lever 96' 'for the raising and lowering ofi the unit, and-the levers |49 being connected by a hook |50 to the cable |5| which, in turn,1is connected to the cutlter bars, as are the cables |00'and |002.'

The clutch pedal |52 in'this instance Acarries the coupling |53 which enters the slotl V|54finthe arcuate shaped link |55, which, atlitslfslotte'd end |56, is connectedV to thecrank portion 51 of the shaft |31.: The link |55 is made in sections, so that by means of the openings `|58and a bolt passing through these openings and connectingthe sections, the length of the link vcan be varied. A handlever |59 on the shaft |31 lrso permits disengagement of the vclutch :pedal The units, except for their different points of mounting, f operate exactly the same, so that further vdetails of the operation of the unit mounted on the end is not deemed necessary. However, when mounted on the rear of the tractor. the tractor must be driven `in reverse. This may be done with or without the aid of control reversing attachments now manufactured for tractors. Mounting of the device on the rear provides less side drag over crop on turns, provides better visibility of work area and places the Weight of the unit on the larger rear tires and the more stable rear end'of the tractor.

In Figure l1, a plan view or diagrammatic 7 view-of the power operating Vmeans is shown for the cutterbars. The tubing 68"is1.retained .in fixed relationout of the way of the crop by straps 68 and with the cylinders 63recess'edinto cutter bars, the crop will pass over theseielements without interference. g'

The pump 12 is provided.'WiththetrotorlSO, having-sliding vanes IBLand |62, pivotally connected at |63 to followersA |63 whichengage the rotonto divide the pump housing |645 into 'intake and compression chambers. The pipesll and 15 areconnectedto 4ports |65 and |66 respectively, which ports are controlled by sleeve valves |61 andv |68 respectively.' These ports are alternately connected .to the differentl chambers in the housing for theinlet and outlet of .the fluid propel1ant,`.the other ports |69 and. |10 `being also connected in alternate relation to the chambers and controlled by sleeve valves |1| and'l12 respectively. Operation of the pump fromthe power take-olf in conjunction with the 'sleeve valves will cause reciprocation ofthe sickles on the cutter bars. The cylinders 63 carrying the pistons A|13 have the'checkyalves |14 andl|15,

respectively, so that the stroke of the pistonis sickles of the present day construction. .The cut- 5 ter bars are all spring; balanced'andi easily controlled through the-variouslevers described.

Greater flexibility of control is available in the unitdescribed.V

Compensation for obstructions met in theeld Aare provided. Theiindependentf action of each cutter bar permits close cutting to obstructions.

Itf is believed thatfrom the foregoing descrip.- tion.- the construction of the unitgwilhbe apparent to those skilled in the art. and it is to be .unl.

derstood that. changes inthe .minordetails of .whichY comprises a iframeliincludin'gqa pair of g..

arms having downwardlyi inclined` portions, Va transversely disposed vcutter-,bar A,having spaced guards. fon theforward edgepthereofA .carried .by the larms of the frame,a reciprocame. sicklebar slida-bly mountedvonl the-'cutter bar andhaving '.1

blades thereon positioned to co-act with the said guards, said/sickle ybar having;` an.. arm` extended therefrom, a cylinder mounted AOnasaid cutter bar,

spaced from and .positioned parallel toithesickle .at the end of the stroke.

bar, a piston having valve openings therethrough and a piston rod extended therefrom positioned in theV cylinder, said'piston rod extended through one end of the cylinder and connected to the arm extended from the sickle bar whereby. pressure applied .alternately to opposite ends of the cylinder reciprocates the sickleibar, and resiliently held oppositely disposed valves positioned in the openings. through the pistonwhereby shock load resulting from a blade of the sickle bar striking an obstruction causes one of said valves to open relieving the operating pressure and temporarily stopping the operation of the sickle bar.

2. In a mowing machine, the combination which comprises a .frame adapted to be mounted on a tractor, a transversely disposed center cutter bar having spaced guards on the forward edge thereof carried by the frame, laterally disposed side cutter bars also carriedby the frame and,v extended from the sides thereof, said side cutter bars also. having spaced guards on the forward edges, reciprocable cutter bars slidablyI mounted on the cutter bars and having blades thereon positioned to co-act with the said guards, said sickle bars having arms extending therefrom; cylinders mounted on said cutter bars, spaced from and positioned parallel to the sickle bars, pistons having valve openings` therethrough and piston rods extended therefrom positioned in the'cylinders, said piston rods extended through one of the ends of the cylinders and connected to' the said arms extended from the sickle bars Whereby pressure applied alternately to opposite-ends of the cylinders reciprocates the sickle bars, resiliently held oppositely disposed valvesy positioned in the openings, through they pistons whereby shock loads resulting from' a blade of a sickle bar engaging an obstruction causes one of the valves of the pistons to open relieving the operating pressure of the cylinder in Which the piston is positioned and temporarily stopping the operation of the sickle bar, and tappets adjustably mounted in the ends of the cylinders'aligned with and positioned to be engaged by the said valves in the piston whereby the valves are opened CHARLES L. PE'LHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

, TJNITED STATES PATENTS 2,376,576 Cross May 22', 1945 

